Therapeutic play in pediatric hospitalization: a comprehensive care strategy beyond pain management

Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2026 Oct 28;100:e202610084.

ABSTRACT

During pediatric hospitalization, invasive and painful procedures are frequently performed and may cause anxiety and fear, particularly among children who, due to their age, may not fully understand the situation. If pain is not adequately managed, it may be associated with negative consequences, such as sleep disturbances, needle phobia, and reluctance or refusal to seek or receive healthcare. Therefore, alleviating pediatric pain is both a right and a responsibility of healthcare institutions, which should implement effective pain management strategies. Among these strategies, non-pharmacological distraction is an intervention used to reduce pain and distress associated with certain procedures. It may include sensory stimuli adapted to the child's age and developmental level. In this context, play has gained relevance as a therapeutic tool, although its effects should be interpreted considering the type of intervention, the clinical context, and the quality of the available evidence. Play promotes children's emotional, cognitive, and social development and may improve their relationship with healthcare professionals and facilitate cooperation during treatment. Therefore, its incorporation from the time of hospital admission has been proposed, supported by specific institutional policies and professional training programs. Hospitals should also be provided with appropriate resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to ensure its effective implementation as a complementary therapeutic tool. From a public health perspective, its systematic integration should also consider equity in access, differences in resources between healthcare settings, professional training, and outcome evaluation.

PMID:42948957